We knew that popular trial lawyer David Berg would have no trouble drawing a crowd to Brazos Bookstore for the signing of his new book, Run, Brother, Run(Scribner, $26), but even the most self-assured attorney could not have expected the turnout that occurred on Friday night.

As many as 40 Berg fans has to be turned away as the Bissonnet bookstore reached fire marshal capacity. Inside, the line for autographed books snaked throughout the store and it took Berg more than an hour to sign for all of the purchasers. In fact, all but a few of the books ordered for the event were sold. Before the signing began, Berg read from the prologue, that introduction alone enough to reveal Berg's skilled writing talents.

Key figures lining up for their copy wereRichard "Racehorse" Haynes, Berg's mentor who figures prominently in the book; Kinky Friedman; Berg's sister Linda Todar, who assisted with the book's research; and Berg's son, Geoff Berg, who recorded the audio version of the book. Of course, Berg's wife, Kathryn, and their daughter, Caitlin, were there to cheer him on.

Following the book signing, 100 of the Berg family friends moved over to the Avalon Diner for a champagne and burgers party hosted by Berg and Scribner. When the author and his family arrived, the crowd broke into standing applause.

Joining the Avalon party were guests including Dick Deguerin, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Robert Sakowitz, Regina Rogers and staff from Berg's law firm, Berg & Androphy.